Who’s That Indie Author? Jonathan Pongratz

~ Book Club Mom

Author Name: Jonathan Pongratz

Genre: Horror/Scifi/ Fantasy

Books: Conscience, Reaper: A Horror Novella

Are you a full-time author? If not, what’s your side gig? I wish! During the week I do finance work for a legal firm. It may be a bit boring, but it certainly pays the bills!

Favorite author/books: Shutter by Courtney Alameda, Scythe by Neal Shusterman, and Battlecry by Emerald Dodge.

What experiences or people have influenced your writing the most? Hard to say exactly. My need to read has probably influenced me the most. Reading fuels my inspiration to write.

Do you keep a writing journal and if so, how do you use it? Nope.

Do you belong to a writers’ group? If so, describe your experience: Nope.

Are you up with the sun or do you burn the midnight oil? Definitely an early bird. During the week I sometimes get up as early as 4am! Do I like it? Not really, but it’s how I get things done.

How do you get over a writing slump? Honestly, I just keep writing. If I feel a writing slump coming, I write even more to try and beat it. It will pass eventually.

Do you prefer writing dialogue or descriptive passages? Both are intrinsically linked to a balanced story, so I would say both. Sometimes you need dialogue to move the story, other times you need the setting to do the work for you.

What are you working on now? I’m working on the sequel to Reaper: A Horror Novella. I’m chiseling out the first draft and hoping to get this baby published by end of year or early 2021.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about writing and publishing a book? Keep at it. Set aside time for writing and force yourself to commit to it.

Do you listen to podcasts? If so, which podcasts do you find the most interesting? Yes! I prefer true crime, anything paranormal, and a little bit of comedy.

Favorite escape: A book or somewhere rural and scenic.

Have you ever tried Kombucha tea? No, but a friend let me smell Kombucha once and that pretty much sealed my disdain for it.

Do you prefer a couch with pillows or no pillows? What is life without pillows, tons and tons of pillows?

Would you rather rake leaves, shovel snow or weed? I very much enjoy raking leaves. No idea why. Sign me up!

Favorite mask – disposable paper, plain fabric, colorful print or something else? Plain fabric. I have some black ones that are great.

Biggest writing challenge since Covid-19: Keeping up with life and wellness. Things have somehow gotten much busier than they were pre-Covid.

Website and social media links:
Website: www.jonathanpongratz.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jonathanpongratz
GoodReads: www.goodreads.com/jonathanpongratz
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jonathan-pongratz
Tumblr: https://jonathanpongratz.tumblr.com/

Are you an indie or self-published author?  Do you want to build your author network? Get your name out on Who’s That Indie Author!

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17 thoughts on “Who’s That Indie Author? Jonathan Pongratz”

  1. As a memoir writer, horror/fantasy/sci-fi are not my cup of tea, but I can tell these books are well written – and so appropriate to the Halloween season. Like Jonathan, reading fuels my inspiration to write.

    I just joined a book club where most of the authors write thrillers, fantasy and sci-fi, Rave Reviews Book Club; I think you’d feel right at home there, if you’re into joining such a group.

    1. Hi Marian – thank you for visiting and reading Jonathan’s profile. I agree that his books are just right for Halloween. Though I haven’t produced a published book (yet), I do believe that reading a lot of other books is good fuel to writing. Your Rave Reviews Book Club sounds good – is it online?

    2. Hi Marian,

      Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

      I definitely can’t write without reading constantly. That book club sounds like fun. I’ll have to check it out!

  3. Many of Jonathan’s answers resonated with me, particularly where he advises to keep writing. Rejections come and go. If you’re a writer, you keep going. And if you’re writing for the money…well, let’s just say, you’re wise to keep your day job. Thanks for the interview, Barbara.

    1. Hi Jill – thank you so much for stopping by to meet Jonathan. I think his advice is very good. I’m impressed by authors like you and Jonathan who work full-time and also write.

    2. Thanks Jill.

      I’m a pretty stubborn individual, so when the writing block comes I just laugh and keep going. Either that or I reread a favorite book that I know will make me feel better about writing in general and why it can be so rewarding.

      Appreciate you taking the time to stop by and get to know me a little better. 🙂

  4. Pingback: Who’s That Indie Author? Jonathan Pongratz – Jaunts & Haunts

  6. How interesting, Barbara, to find Jonathan here. I saw him over at Teri Polen’s blog this week for Bad Moon Rising. It’s always good to meet another horror story author.

  7. So excited you’re working on a sequel to Reaper! Both Reaper and Conscience were a big thumbs up for me. Thanks for hosting Jonny, Barbara!

  8. I “met” Jonny recently and am continually impressed by his desire to learn, his support for other authors, and his just all around terrific nature. Oh, and his stories are great too!!

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